Information Architecture is an important concept when talking about UX, because it mixes organization schemes with labelling systems – search and navigation – in websites and intranets. Its goal is to ease tasks and make the access to content intuitive.
The functions of Information Architecture are:
- Ease the access to information;
- Balance the users’ needs, the context and the content;
- Emphasize unnecessary information.
- Information Architecture results from the relation between context, content and users.
Context
We must consider the project goals, the company policies, culture, available technology, as well as its human resources. It’s equally essential to consider workers, clients, partners or providers’ comments.
Content
All the content the company offers, online or offline. It includes texts, images, graphics, structure, information volume, page maps, etc.
Users
Our target or personas, their needs, behaviour, as well as used vocabulary and knowledge about the product/service.
Information Architecture components
Organization systems – content groups and categories (issue, chronology, hierarchy).
Labeling systems – representation and presentation of the information, defining visual signs.
Navigation systems – the people browse the interface.
Search systems – taking possible user questions and possible answers into account.
The information architect has to:
- Think on the website
- Build the site map
- Draw the wireframes
- Define the design
- Interact with the technological development team.
Moreover, has to think about:
- The users’ needs
- The available information
- The way information is provided
- Highlight relevant information
- Access to information
When talking about information architecture, we talk about usability. This is the way people use a tool or interface. Usability obeys certain rules:
- Simple and natural dialogues
- Talking the users’ language
- Consistence – the same action has always the same effect
- Feedback – to inform the user about what he/she’s doing
- It must be easy to abort a task or action
- Prevent errors.